Saturday, May 10, 2025, Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles, IL
Back at the Kane County show for the first time in a while. I like how promoters Mike and John always place the vintage guys together in our own pod. We had a good vintage line-up with me, Gary George (who brought his cousin Larry today who I enjoyed meeting), Tom Mularz, Ray Aukes and Dave McDonald.
I especially enjoyed spending the day with my old pal Dave, who does not set up at as many shows these days. Dave was at the MegaShow in April. We are setting up together at the National.
The Kane County show was very well attended. Quite a few people filed by our little vintage pod.
I brought out a different set up because I am hopelessly behind on loading my binders. I had eight display cases filled with my graded cards, oversized cards like Exhibits and 1936 Goudey Wide Pens; my doubles, some autograph cards, empty vintage wax boxes and assorted oddities. My day started out well when Gary purchased some cards. Thanks Gary! Then Eddie drove out to St. Charles from the south suburbs and purchased a bunch of graded cards. Thanks Eddie! I real nice lady purchased my Exhibit Willie Mays. A bunch of new customers purchase cards and I ended up having a decent day.
On the buying front, a few cards walked up including a 1958 Topps Mickey Mantle All-Star which I purchased. Besides the Mantle, it seems like more and more junk-era cards are showing up at shows. I feel like I need to create a sign explaining what I buy because most of the walk-ups at all shows are cards and memorabilia that I have absolutely no interest in purchasing.
Purchases aside, the best part of this show is the taco truck. Man, those folks make some tasty tacos.
Overall, a real pleasant day. Next Kane County show is September 13. I have not worked out my September schedule yet, so I'm not sure if I will make that one. I will try if I have the date open.
On a sad note, Gary and I have been wondering about our friend Terry Hatch these past few months. Sadly, I recently learned that Terry died back in December.
I met Terry about 20 years ago at the Gonzaga show. As Mark Smith reminded me, Terry always arrived at the Gonzaga show at the end, when we were packing up. Terry collected many different vintage baseball and football sets. He built multiples of many sets.
At the Kane County show, me, Gary and Tom got to talking about Terry. Tom remembered that Terry always had returns. For me, Terry was one of two guys who regularly would purchase cards then returned some of them the next show. The other guy who returns cards is Rick in Orland. I am not a big fan of returns.
Terry was a character, though. He would sit down at my table then espouse his opinions on all sorts of random stuff from politics to various aspects of modern society. He always seemed to have a date with one of his "lady friends."
He usually had a box of cards for me whenever we met. I purchased a lot of cards from him over the years. I also purchased a real unique item -- a sheet of eight or 10 autographs of Milwaukee Braves players, including Eddie Mathews. Terry told me that when he was a kid in Janesville, a local shoe-store ran a promotion where all these Braves players were at the store signing autographs. His mother took him there and he obtained the autograph sheet I purchased. I still have it. It is cool!
Terry was born in 1948 and grew up in Janesville. After high school he served in the Navy then attended college at UW Whitewater where he received a BA, then he attended Louis University and received a masters degree.
He held a variety of jobs during his adult life and had many stories about working at Argonne National Laboratories.
I am so sorry to learn of Terry's passing. My condolences to Terry's family and friends.
The best antidote for grief is a card show. I was set up this past weekend at the three-day show in Milwaukee -- blog coming soon.
Next up for me is Orland Park on Sunday, May 25, 2025. I have one of two 1969 Topps baseball binders reloaded and ready to go. I am working on the second one and am not sure if I will have it completed by Sunday. I am planning on bringing out all of my binders on Sunday. I have extra room in Orland so I always need to bring something in addition to the binders. I am currently mulling what to place in that extra space. I have been working on large groupings/lots of cards or I might bring out my publications. I have been pricing vintage pennants and might bring out those. I better figure it out soon.
The next Oak Creek show is slated for June 7. Show is sold out, as usual. Reminder that the July and August Oak Creek shows have been moved to the second Saturday due to conflicts.
I have also been considering operating some additional shows this summer. I may do one in Kenosha, WI, and I am thinking about doing a small all-vintage sports show in Oak Creek. I'll keep you posted on any developments.
A big thank you to Mike and John for getting me into the Kane County show and running an excellent show as usual.
See you guys in Orland!
Below are a couple of photos from the May Kane County show.
Back at the Kane County show for the first time in a while. I like how promoters Mike and John always place the vintage guys together in our own pod. We had a good vintage line-up with me, Gary George (who brought his cousin Larry today who I enjoyed meeting), Tom Mularz, Ray Aukes and Dave McDonald.
I especially enjoyed spending the day with my old pal Dave, who does not set up at as many shows these days. Dave was at the MegaShow in April. We are setting up together at the National.
The Kane County show was very well attended. Quite a few people filed by our little vintage pod.
I brought out a different set up because I am hopelessly behind on loading my binders. I had eight display cases filled with my graded cards, oversized cards like Exhibits and 1936 Goudey Wide Pens; my doubles, some autograph cards, empty vintage wax boxes and assorted oddities. My day started out well when Gary purchased some cards. Thanks Gary! Then Eddie drove out to St. Charles from the south suburbs and purchased a bunch of graded cards. Thanks Eddie! I real nice lady purchased my Exhibit Willie Mays. A bunch of new customers purchase cards and I ended up having a decent day.
On the buying front, a few cards walked up including a 1958 Topps Mickey Mantle All-Star which I purchased. Besides the Mantle, it seems like more and more junk-era cards are showing up at shows. I feel like I need to create a sign explaining what I buy because most of the walk-ups at all shows are cards and memorabilia that I have absolutely no interest in purchasing.
Purchases aside, the best part of this show is the taco truck. Man, those folks make some tasty tacos.
Overall, a real pleasant day. Next Kane County show is September 13. I have not worked out my September schedule yet, so I'm not sure if I will make that one. I will try if I have the date open.
On a sad note, Gary and I have been wondering about our friend Terry Hatch these past few months. Sadly, I recently learned that Terry died back in December.
I met Terry about 20 years ago at the Gonzaga show. As Mark Smith reminded me, Terry always arrived at the Gonzaga show at the end, when we were packing up. Terry collected many different vintage baseball and football sets. He built multiples of many sets.
At the Kane County show, me, Gary and Tom got to talking about Terry. Tom remembered that Terry always had returns. For me, Terry was one of two guys who regularly would purchase cards then returned some of them the next show. The other guy who returns cards is Rick in Orland. I am not a big fan of returns.
Terry was a character, though. He would sit down at my table then espouse his opinions on all sorts of random stuff from politics to various aspects of modern society. He always seemed to have a date with one of his "lady friends."
He usually had a box of cards for me whenever we met. I purchased a lot of cards from him over the years. I also purchased a real unique item -- a sheet of eight or 10 autographs of Milwaukee Braves players, including Eddie Mathews. Terry told me that when he was a kid in Janesville, a local shoe-store ran a promotion where all these Braves players were at the store signing autographs. His mother took him there and he obtained the autograph sheet I purchased. I still have it. It is cool!
Terry was born in 1948 and grew up in Janesville. After high school he served in the Navy then attended college at UW Whitewater where he received a BA, then he attended Louis University and received a masters degree.
He held a variety of jobs during his adult life and had many stories about working at Argonne National Laboratories.
I am so sorry to learn of Terry's passing. My condolences to Terry's family and friends.
The best antidote for grief is a card show. I was set up this past weekend at the three-day show in Milwaukee -- blog coming soon.
Next up for me is Orland Park on Sunday, May 25, 2025. I have one of two 1969 Topps baseball binders reloaded and ready to go. I am working on the second one and am not sure if I will have it completed by Sunday. I am planning on bringing out all of my binders on Sunday. I have extra room in Orland so I always need to bring something in addition to the binders. I am currently mulling what to place in that extra space. I have been working on large groupings/lots of cards or I might bring out my publications. I have been pricing vintage pennants and might bring out those. I better figure it out soon.
The next Oak Creek show is slated for June 7. Show is sold out, as usual. Reminder that the July and August Oak Creek shows have been moved to the second Saturday due to conflicts.
I have also been considering operating some additional shows this summer. I may do one in Kenosha, WI, and I am thinking about doing a small all-vintage sports show in Oak Creek. I'll keep you posted on any developments.
A big thank you to Mike and John for getting me into the Kane County show and running an excellent show as usual.
See you guys in Orland!
Below are a couple of photos from the May Kane County show.
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